Man with skateboard arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon

 Posted on October 26, 2011 in Firearm Possession

Police claim some form of argument erupted recently between a laundromat employee and a customer. Law enforcement believes the argument escalated beyond words at some point. Police claim the 26-year-old customer had entered the establishment around 10:00 a.m. Saturday. He apparently was toting a wooden skateboard. After the alleged argument broke out, law enforcement says the customer swung his skateboard at the Laundromat employee. The 26-year-old customer could be facing serious felony charges based upon the allegations.

The laundromat employee apparently did not suffer any injury in the alleged incident. Authorities say the employee did not seek any kind of medical treatment after the alleged incident. In fact, police believe the employee grabbed the skateboard during the alleged incident.

Nonetheless, police suspect the customer committed assault with a deadly weapon. The alleged assault apparently includes the allegation that the customer swung the skateboard at the employee. The police further suspect that the skateboard will serve as the evidence that a deadly weapon was used in the alleged incident.

Authorities say that after the employee grabbed the skateboard, the customer then used pepper spray. In California it is illegal to use pepper spray, unless it is used in self-defense. News reports do not give any account of the customer's side of the story.

People suspected of committing an offense have the absolute constitutional right to remain silent. It may be that the customer chose to exercise his right to remain silent. If so, that would explain why news reports only give one side of the story.

Nonetheless, police reportedly arrested the customer after the alleged incident on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, misuse of tear gas and having drug paraphernalia.

People on the Central Coast facing serious felony charges, such as assault with a deadly weapon, should consider speaking with an experienced Santa Cruz criminal defense attorney for an assessment of the facts and to learn what defense options may be available in an individual case.

Source: 10 News, "Rolando Laundromat Employee Pepper-Sprayed," Oct. 23, 2011